With the Olympic Games inching closer, every track and field athlete in the country is making sure to stay updated with the latest developments. Events like the USATF Indoor Championships are providing excellent opportunities for athletes to test the waters as the road to Paris gathers momentum. And the reigning 800m champ Nia Akins made the most of it in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Akins came almost within touching distance of her last year’s 800m run at the event, but this time, with an extra obstacle standing in her way. While national sensations like Noah Lyles are setting the stage for a big showdown against their arch-rivals, Akins will also be eyeing a podium finish at the finals.

Nia Akins storms through the USATF Indoor Championships 800m heat

In the third heat of the 800m run, Akins crossed the finishing line with only one shoe. Her determined display startled the community with the added twist and online track and field magazine Citius Mag took to social media to underscore her performance. “No shoe? No problem!“, reads Citius Mag’s caption in the recent post on X.

“Reigning U.S. 800m champ Nia Akins of @BeastsTC loses a spike in the qualifying round of the women’s 800m at USATF Indoors, but still wins her heat and makes the final in 2:02.53.“, elaborates the post further, as Akins qualified for the final run in heat 3. Running with a shoe on her right foot only, Akins didn’t seem fazed by the unprecedented situation and proceeded to cross the finishing line in style. This naturally gives rise to greater speculation.

Nia Akins on the edge for another indoor medal?

At the 2023 USATF Indoor Championship, Akins edged past her opponents to win the 800m race, while clocking 2:00.16. And that’s not all, Akins also recorded her personal best time at last year’s World Championships in Budapest with 1:57.73 on the clock and placed sixth in the 800m race. With one shoe on, Nia put up a time of 2:02.53 this time in the heats.

Read more: Road to Paris 2024: USA Track and Field Unveils Big Olympic Trials Update as Athletes Gear Up for Ultimate Glory

With Nia sending out a powerful message with her performance, fans expect something similar to her last year’s Indoor Championships run and many believe another podium finish is only a matter of time for the two-time NCAA 800m runner-up. With 2023 being a pretty decent year for Akins, it waits to be seen if 2024 offers something similar for her with her final run waiting to happen tomorrow.

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